Sandra Lilani Riley was born on March 19, 1940, to Cheroxie and Vincent Riley in Norfolk Virginia. She attended Booker T. Washington High School where she was a Majorette with the Booker T. Washington High School Band. She graduated in 1957 and moved to New York where she met Bay Boy Marks. They married July 10, 1958, in Harlem, New York and had 3 children, Cheroxie, William Jr, and James. Sandra and William moved to North Babylon in 1973 where they established a strong network of friends and community. They were active in the Belmont Lake Civic Association and continued to support the organization in their later years. Sandra worked 30 years for New York State as a Pharmacy Technician. She later went back to school and received her certification as a Sonagram Technician where she worked at the Louis Lasky Memorial Medical and Dental Center for over 12 years. Sandra was married to the love of her life, William for 68 years, and besides raising her family, she loved to cook and bake. She was a “creative”, a “project” girl, very talented with her hands. She would sew, crochet, needle point, reupholster, decorate, and care for plants. Completing a puzzle was how she relaxed. Sandra also loved to entertain and socialize with friends and family near and far. Always positive, cheerful and ready for a good Party!! Sandra was known by her children’s friends as Ma, Ma Marks, or Mumsie, and they always felt comfortable enough to stop by anytime for food, advice, or just to chew the fat. Sandra enjoyed traveling with her husband to many destinations around the country and world, but Aruba became her “go to” destination annually for 30 years. Aruba first, everywhere else second.
Sandra would like you to know that she loved and enjoyed everyone she met along the way. She really enjoyed sharing her life with you. Sandra was preceded in death by her parents Cheroxie and Vincent. She leaves to cherish her memory her husband William Marks, her daughter Cheroxie (James), Sons William Jr (Laquita), James (Cynthia), grandchildren William IV, James II, Qiana, Sandra, Jalen, Ma’Kaila, Mi’Kai, bonus granddaughter Alexis, like a son Napoleon, like a daughter Cynthia, like a daughter Monet, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
Visitation will be held on October 3, 2026, from 9:30 am to 11:00 am, followed by a Religious Ceremony at the same location from 11:00 am to 12:00 pm.
A Committal Service will take place at Pinelawn Memorial Park and Arboretum, 2030 Wellwood Ave, Farmingdale, NY 11735, US, on October 3, 2026, from 12:30 pm to 1:00 pm.
